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Mike Sweitzer, 56, files lawsuit against university over volleyball team move
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Mar 21, 2008
The former coach of the University of Akron's volleyball team has filed a lawsuit claiming he was fired because of his age.
Mike Sweitzer, fired by UA in November after 17 seasons, is seeking unspecified damages from the university. His lawsuit was filed this week in the Ohio Court of Claims.
Sweitzer, 56, is claiming age discrimination led to his dismissal. His teams compiled a 281-252 record during his tenure.
He was replaced last month by 35-year-old Ron Arenz, a former head coach at the University of West Alabama.
A UA spokesman said Thursday that the university does not comment on pending litigation.
Sweitzer was told in November, after a season of 10 wins and 20 losses, that his contract would not be renewed. He earned $62,270 in his final season.
''After a review of our volleyball program, it was decided that we needed to move in a new direction,'' Athletic Director Mack Rhoades said in a news release issued last fall.
''We appreciate Mike's years of service to the university and our student-athletes as he has had his share of success, both on and off the court. However, the program has not experienced the level of competitiveness we expect for the past several years.''
In his lawsuit, Sweitzer claims his won-loss record is ''unmatched by any of (UA's) other head coaches of its Division I (major) women's sports.''
He says coaches with worse records were retained and that he was treated differently than younger coaches. During the past three seasons, Sweitzer's teams won 27 matches while dropping 64.
Sweitzer's suit also says his assistants were told of his firing by an unnamed university official. When the assistants asked why Sweitzer's contract would not be renewed, they were told he is a ''57-year-old man who may not be able to motivate or relate to the new type of student-athlete, that he could be stuck in his old ways and they may not work anymore.''
Sweitzer claims misstated retention rates coupled with the team's recent losses were also cited as reasons for his firing.
The suit seeks money damages for loss of wages, pain and suffering, humiliation, embarrassment, loss of reputation and emotional distress.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
The former coach of the University of Akron's volleyball team has filed a lawsuit claiming he was fired because of his age.
Get the full article here.
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